Powys: Welsh Government Learning Grant (FE) open for eligible students 19+

Welsh Government Learning Grant FE applications remain open for 2025/26.

If your 19+ family member is eligible, they can still apply for up to £1,919 in funding.
www.gov.wales/making-education-work-you

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

St Athan: Men's Group, every Tues 10 - 12 at The Gathering Place, St Athan

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Catterick: AWS SEND Haven every Wednesday

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Civilian Housing Options Briefings – 2026 Dates

To register for a Briefing, and provide your details please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing

For more information on MoD Veterans Services support for Service Leavers and their families please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-for-service-leavers-and-their-families

St Athan: Learn & Play, every Monday (Term Time) at The Gathering Place, St Athan

The Gathering Place:

As Monday approaches, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to our Babies and Toddlers group, which meets every week during term time from 9 AM.

This dedicated session provides a welcoming environment for parents and caregivers to interact with their little ones while enjoying structured activities that promote early development, social skills, and fun.

We look forward to seeing everyone there and sharing a wonderful morning together in a warm and friendly environment!

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Aldershot: Shots Foundation Sight Loss Soccer

 

On the first Monday of every month, The Shots Foundation run a sight loss soccer session at the Samuel Cody School from 1730-1830.

The Shots Foundation run these sessions to provide those over 16 with any range of sight loss the opportunity to keep active and keep their love of football alive, because football is for all.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Ripon: Come and join us for Chess Club every Friday for ages 5-17

Children’s Chess Club at Ripon Library! 

Looking for a fun, brain-boosting activity for your children? 

Join us at the library every Friday for our Chess Club!

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

From 1 April 2026, the Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) will become a permanent waiver for eligible Service personnel (SP) and outdated waivers based on marriage and age will be retired.

First introduced in March 2024 the DAW was designed to support home ownership and replace older SLA waivers. The DAW supports eligible SP to use Single Living Accommodation (SLA) free of charge, providing they maintain a separate home elsewhere in the UK.

What are the key changes from 1 April 2026?

• Enduring Policy: On 1 April 2026 the DAW will go from a temporary waiver to a permanent waiver, ensuring long-term support for eligible Service personnel.

• Removal of outdated Waivers: Waivers for SLA charges based on marital status and age will be retired, promoting fairness and consistency. Regular and Full Time Reserve Services Full Commitment (FTRS FC) Service Personnel receiving outdated waivers will automatically go onto DAW – no action needed.

• Updated Eligibility Criteria: To ensure efficient use of SLA, eligibility rules have been updated. Service personnel must maintain a UK home outside daily commuting distance, and provide annual evidence to HR.

• New Applicants: If you are not currently using DAW but believe you are eligible, please contact your Unit HR directly.

• Full eligibility details are set out in latest news on Defence accommodation policy - GOV.UK

New Travel Credit Scheme

New Travel Credit Scheme – helping you reunite with loved ones this Christmas

A new one-off Travel Credit Scheme will help Service personnel get home to family and friends during the festive season and months that follow.

From 8 December, eligible personnel can claim for support with the cost of either road or rail travel for a return journey home. The new scheme extends the existing Get You Home (Early Years) provision.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“When I came into office, I promised to renew our nation’s contract with those who serve us. That is why this government is improving homes for heroes, delivering the biggest military pay rise in a generation and enshrining the new Armed Forces Covenant in law to properly represent our forces community.

“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices, and I know how important being with family is, and that is why today we’re announcing extra travel support for service personnel to be with their loved ones this Christmas.”

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep our country safe. Helping them get home to their families for Christmas is the least we can do to support them.

“In this new era of threat, the strength of our defence lies in the serving men and women of our forces. Having already awarded the biggest military pay rise in 20 years and launched a big new strategy to renew military housing, this Government is proudly putting our Forces First.”

Who’s eligible to receive payment

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 04 December 25

Tackling Damp and Mould 

Over the last few years we have made substantial progress in tackling damp and mould that has been reported to us. Condensation is usually the biggest cause of damp within homes, and we know this often increases in colder months of the year. There are 4 key steps that you can take to prevent condensation, damp and mould in your home. 

Please read our helpful guide to preventing condensation, damp and mould in your homes here. 

 

Report it  

If you discover damp and mould, including any recurring issues, please report it straight away so that we can resolve the issue promptly. You can do this in the following ways:  

 

• Complete the dedicated Damp and Mould report form on the Pinnacle website.  

• Call Pinnacle on 0800 0318628, selecting option 1, then option 4.  

• Chat to Pinnacle online, you can do this by selecting the chat option on Pinnacle website.  

 

Our commitment   

Awaab’s Law, which took effect in October 2025, requires social landlords to address all damp and mould hazards within fixed timeframes. While we are not bound by this legislation, DIO has voluntarily committed to upholding the standards expected of a responsible landlord and our response times to damp and mould reports in UK SFA have been adjusted.  

 

When you contact Pinnacle, our teams will assess the severity of the problem, on a scale from level 1 to 5, with 5 considered the most severe. Pinnacle will then coordinate with Amey/VIVO to begin their investigation to address the issue.  

 

• Levels 1-3: Amey/VIVO will respond within 10 working days.  
• Levels 4-5 (highest priority): Amey/VIVO will respond within 48 hours, and families will be offered temporary accommodation during the investigation.  

 

If we cannot fully complete the required work after investigation, we will provide the family with a written summary within three days, outlining completed tasks and any remaining work.  

If you have any queries related to damp and mould, please contact Pinnacle on 0800 031 8628. You can find further information about seasonal safety advice on Defence Homes.